UPDATED 3:25 P.M.

The California State University and the California Faculty Association announced Sunday that they agreed to a 10-day contract extension in order to possibly settle on a new contract by April 6.

CFA President John Travis called the meeting in Long Beach a good sign.

“This gives us an opportunity to work and seek a settlement,” Travis said.

CSU Chancellor Charles Reed said he is optimistic that a deal can be reached within the time frame and that both sides will be in a “quiet period” over the next 10 days. Reed said the quiet time would prohibit “concerted activity and demonstrations.”

Just Wednesday, CFA overwhelmingly voted for a strike authorization.

The grace period allows both sides to review the fact-finding report that was released today on the CSU website. Reed said the report “divided the world in half” for both sides.

Reed met with faculty representatives today and said he wanted to use the fact-finding report as a framework toward a new contract.

“We had a very good meeting, and from that meeting, we mutually agreed that we would seek a settlement and extend the current contract for 10 days,” Reed said.

Reed did not comment on specifics about the terms each side is seeking.

The fact-finding report is very convoluted, including peculiar time frames for implementing different parts of a new contract, Reed said.

“My observation was that the fact finder tried to be fair to both sides and split the difference,” he said.

Board of Trustees Chair Roberta Achtenberg said she is also optimistic that a deal can be struck for the good of students and the CSU as a whole.

“An agreement that both sides can respect and live with can be reached,” she said.

Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez said Wednesday that he supports faculty raises.

“I think they’re underpaid,” he said.

The next 10 days can put an end to the chapter of discord between some faculty members and administrators.

Gonzalez said in the past 22 months, the negotiations between the CFA and the CSU have had a high level of exchange and debate.

Kevin Wehr, assistant sociology professor, announced last week that Sac State CFA members voted in favored of a strike authorization.

“Nobody wants a strike, especially with the focus on the importance of students and their education,” Reed said.